The Road to Unfreedom

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From the author of On Tyranny comes a compelling chronicle of the resurgence of authoritarianism across Russia, Europe, and America. Following the Cold War, the triumph of liberal democracy appeared assured, leading many to proclaim the end of history and anticipate a peaceful, globalized future. However, this optimism proved unfounded as authoritarianism re-emerged in Russia, where Putin leveraged fascist ideologies to legitimize the rule of the elite. By the 2010s, this authoritarian wave spread westward, fueled by Russian aggression in Ukraine and cyber warfare targeting Europe and the U.S. Russia forged alliances with nationalists, oligarchs, and radicals, seeking to undermine Western institutions and values, which resonated within the West itself. The rise of populism, the Brexit vote, and Donald Trump's election aligned with Russian ambitions, exposing the fragility of Western democracies. In this incisive work of contemporary history, Snyder draws on extensive research and personal reporting to illuminate the profound threats to democracy and the rule of law. He urges a renewed understanding of our political virtues, presenting stark choices between equality or oligarchy, individuality or totality, and truth or falsehood, while offering a path forward amid uncertainty.